Sci Fi, Manga Renew Anime Block Partnership

By Vlada Gelman

Sci Fi Channel has renewed its Ani-Monday block of anime programming, moving it to Monday nights at 1 a.m. starting in July. The lineup will feature movies, series and shorts from Starz Media’s anime distribution arm Manga Entertainment.

Among the movies set to air during the Ani-Monday block are “Strait Jacket,” “Blood: The Last Vampire,” “Ghost in the Shell,” “Jack,” “Dead Leaves,” “Go Shogun” and “Negadon: The Monsters From Mars.”

The block will also feature the TV premieres of the classic anime series “Now and Then, Here and There” and “Descendants of Darkness,” as well as the U.S. debuts of “Gurren Lagann” and “Gundam 00.”

Many of the programs will be available for download on digital platforms after broadcast.

“Our viewers have been enthusiastic about the Ani-Monday block from Manga Entertainment since the programming first aired just over a year ago. We believe viewers will be even more excited about this incredible new lineup of top anime Manga is delivering,” Thomas Vitale, Sci Fi Channel’s senior VP of programming and original movies, said in a statement.